Environment
Sanitation: FG Commissions Model Toilet Facility
The Federal Ministry of
Water Resources says it has commissioned a model for toilet facility to boost the nation’s sanitation coverage
The Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation Department, Mr. Samuel Ome said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
Ome said that the model was done after a survey was carried out on existing toilet facilities in strategic places across the country.
He said: “After carrying out surveys on the existing sanitation facilities in public places like motor packs, markets and transit ways for commuters and travellers, we found out that they were nothing to write home about.
“So, we came up with a standard design, architectural design that will go with it and an element of water that should go with it.
“So that the level of convenience, the level of hygiene and sanitation to be associated with such structure or facilities are high enough to meet what we considered as a national requirement on hygiene.’’
Ome said that the ministry would partner with the managers of markets and motor parks to introduce the facility in such places.
According to him, the ministry is also working on a programme that will involve girls and women in the management of the facility.
“For such systems like the motor parks, we have motor park managers; we have market masters, who manage markets.
“We are entering into discussion with them on how we will introduce such improved public facilities to be built there so that, they themselves can manage them.
“The ministry is participating in a government programme – Women and Girl Empowerment Programme, which we are doing with the Ministry and Women Affairs, Ministry of Finance and some others.
“To look at how to improve the lots of the people and for whom we want to use such facilities, so that women and girls can manage such facility and earn income from there,’’ he explained. Ome, who is also the Chairman, National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), noted that sanitation could not be separated from hygiene.
He advised Nigerians to improve on the level of hygiene by imbibing the habit of washing their hands at critical times, especially after visiting the toilet.
“It is within your power as rational human beings to make that difference of knowing when you apply washing of hands during critical times.
“From the individual to household and to the community and when hygiene is maintained, the level of sanitation will go up and the right behaviour change will be adopted.’’
In addition, he called on transport companies to build toilets at strategic bus stops for their passengers across the country.
According to him, such effort will check the practice of open defecation and also improve the sanitary condition of the populace.
Ome also advised organisers of events, especially in cities, to always provide mobile toilets for their guests.
The Ministry of Environment on Thursday in Abuja, advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, validating a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling climate-related challenges in the country.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, said this at the Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on the Development of the concept notes to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for NAP in Nigeria.
Kambari, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Pwol, the Deputy Director in the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the ministry, said that the workshop is a collective resolve to confront the realities of climate change with purpose, strategy, and coordinated action.
“Over the past years, the Federal Government of Nigeria, with crucial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has made significant progress in advancing the NAP process.
“As a nation, we stand at a critical juncture where climate risks ranging from extreme weather events to environmental degradation continues to threaten our socio-economic stability, food systems, public health, infrastructure, and national development aspirations.
“Through extensive technical work, we have completed a Climate Risk Assessment across all geopolitical and agro-ecological zones, developed an Economic Appraisal, an Adaptation Finance Strategy, and a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”
Kambari said that these foundational elements now guide Nigeria to identify priority adaptation needs and investment opportunities.
“Let me mention that we are at the tail end of this NAP Formulation Process and looking forward to the implementation phase.
“This workshop therefore serves as a strategic purpose to harmonise perspectives across key MDAs; refine project ideas into strong, evidence-based concept notes.
“It will ensure that proposed interventions align with national priorities and the investment criteria of the GCF and position Nigeria to competitively access the resources required to strengthen resilience across vulnerable sectors,” he said.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the Director DCC in the Ministry said that the engagement would enhance achievements by collaboratively developing bankable, climate-resilient concept notes that align with national priorities and meet the GCF’s investment requirements.
Abiola-Awe who was represented by Dr Jonah Barde in the Ministry said that the workshop represented an important step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
She added that the workshop would advance sustainable development, and mobilise the climate finance needed to safeguard Nigeria’s communities, ecosystems, and economy from the growing impacts of climate change.
Effective communication, transparency, and science-based risk assessments are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s approach to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Mr Bello Bwari, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), gave the assurance during a media interaction in Abuja on Friday.
“Where there is communication, you reduce conflict. Effective communication is key, effective engagement with stakeholders is paramount and key to making Nigeria better.
Bwari said anti GMO’s critics keep participants and practitioners on their toes.
“We value them and we expect that their criticisms, suggestions and recommendations will make our operations in the entire spectrum better.
“Where we are not doing so well, we will hear from them, where we can advance explanations, we will advance explanations. Where they are not doing well, we will tell them. We will not run away from doing that.
“But I want to assure you that we are bold enough to face anybody who is not fact-based,” he said.
He reassured that sometime before the end of the second quarter of 2026 there would be a retreat where all stakeholders would be invited.
“And also, the impact we are bringing is going to be measurable by the end of 2026. And going forward, what we do by the end of 2026 will form the basis of our five-year plan.
“There’s a five-year plan which will start at the end of 2026. So, I enjoin the media to please report what you know as a matter of fact, not as a matter of opinion.
“We all have different opinions, but some of our opinions are not facts. From the quality of what I see on papers, reportage, I think largely I’m impressed with what the press is doing in Nigeria so far,” he said.
Bwari stated that Nigerians deserved to understand what NBMA regulates, why they regulate it, and how decisions were made.
“Part of my focus going forward will be strengthening engagement with the media, researchers, policymakers, and the public because regulation works best when it is understood.
“We are not promoters of any technology, and we are not opponents of innovation. We are regulators.
“But at its core, biosafety is about prevention, caution, and preparedness. It is about ensuring that innovation does not outpace safety, and that national development never compromises public health or environmental integrity,” he said.
He promised to uphold the law without fear or favour, communicate more clearly with the public and ensure that every regulatory decision was transparent, evidence-based, and accountable
“NBMA is not an advocacy agency. Our duty is to assess risks, enforce safeguards, and ensure compliance with national and international biosafety standards.I also want to emphasise that public trust matters.
He further urged the media to help Nigerians understand biosafety and biosecurity in a better way.
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